Flame Retardants

Flame Retardants refer to over 175 different chemicals used to inhibit ignition of combustible organic materials. These chemicals are classified into groups including halogenated organic (typically brominated or chlorinated), phosphorus-containing, nitrogen-containing, and inorganic flame retardants. The more than 75 chemicals included in the category of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are commonly used because they are effective and cheap. However, some are also dangerous to human health. Both Tris and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) were proven harmful and phased out decades ago. However, other BFRs, like PBDEs, are still in use today despite growing evidence of their danger to human health. PBDE production constitutes 25 percent of all flame retardant production. A number of flame retardants have been found in sewage sludge. According to chemist Arlene Blum: "When tested in animals, fire retardant chemicals, even at very low doses, can cause endocrine disruption, thyroid disorders, cancer, and developmental, reproductive, and neurological problems such as learning impairment and attention deficit disorder. Ongoing studies are beginning to show a connection between these chemicals and autism in children."

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Biosolids
 * Sewage sludge
 * Food Rights Network

External resources

 * Green Science Policy Institute

External articles

 * Arlene Blum, "Flame retardants, policy, and public health: past and present," 4th International Conference on the History of Occupational and Environmental Health, June 2010
 * Arlene Blum and Linda Birnbaum, "Halogenated Flame Retardants in Consumer Products: Do the Fire Safety Benefits Justify the Health and Environmental Risks?," 5th International Symposium on Brominated Flame Retardants, April 2010
 * Arlene Blum, "Killer Couch Chemicals," Huffington Post, August 16, 2007
 * Arlene Blum, "Chemical Burns," New York Times, November 19, 2006
 * Linda S. Birnbaum and Daniele F. Staskal, "Brominated Flame Retardants: Cause for Concern?", Environmental Health Perspectives, January 1, 2004
 * Heather M. Stapleton, Susan Klosterhaus, Sarah Eagle, Jennifer Fuh, John D. Meeker, Arlene Blum, and Thomas F. Webster, "Detection of Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Furniture Foam and U.S. House Dust", Environmental Science & Technology, August 13, 2009.